Generally speaking, we try to avoid operating diodes in their reverse breakdown region, but Zener diodes are the exception to this rule. Generally speaking, we try to avoid operating diodes in their ...

My recent columns discussed the physics and applications of discrete-zener-diode references, and the conclusion they reached is that discrete zener diodes make poor references because of tolerance ...

Normally, when you want a low DC voltage from the AC line, you think about using a transformer of some kind. [RCD66] noticed that an AC monitor meter must have some sort of power supply but had no ...

There are times when you need to bias a low-current load and simply didn’t want to add another voltage regulator, or where you need a reasonable level of voltage accuracy, so a simple voltage divider ...

According to Microsemi, its new family of ultra-sharp knee Zener diodes offers four times the voltage regulation and a 40-fold improvement in typical lower leakage current versus comparable devices.